Caves of God: Cappadocia and its Churches

Caves of God: Cappadocia and its Churches by Kostof, Spiro. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780195060003.

There exists perhaps no site more arresting than the strange rockscape of Cappadocia in central Turkey. Buried within the heart of this incredible vision of shapes and colors lie hundreds of monasteries and churches where Christian communities lived and prayed for the greater part of two millennia. This comprehensive study explores the land and hidden monuments of Christian Cappadocia. Spiro Kostof has written a readable, general introduction to the rockcut architecture of Cappadocia and its painted decoration and a critical review of the current state of scholarship on the subject. Focusing on the physical setting, the buildings, and painting programs in the context of their creation, he discusses the nature and historical background of monasticism in Cappadocia; depicts the builders, artists, and patrons who created the monuments; and describes the sources and meaning of the particular types of buildings and painting programs. This detailed account of the region and its monuments also includes revealing line drawings of plans, elevations, and cross sections, a glossary of terms, notes, a bibliography, and an index, as well as a new introduction for this edition.